GB2478566A

GB2478566A - Potentiometer Gripping Device

Info

Publication number: GB2478566A
Application number: GB1003937A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Bernard Mapleston; Daniel Edmond Steinhardt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-10
Filing date: 2010-03-10
Publication date: 2011-09-14
Also published as: GB201003937D0

Abstract

A means for locking in place a position of a potentiometer; preferably the locking device allows adjustment of mechanical resistance of the potentiometer's control knob for fine setting thereof. The locking means comprises an expanding portion preferably consisting of a plurality of rings, 1, 2; each ring has a lever 3, 4 attached thereto for rotating the rings, each ring has a sloping ramp like surface, this surface forms a contact surface between two opposing rings. Rotation of the rings causes the rings to hove in an axial direction expanding the height, the rings move away from each other, thus pressure is applied between the mounting surface of the of potentiometer and a surface of the knob which is planar to the mounting surface. Preferably the ramp surface of each ring is of a rubber material or has a serrated tooth section 6 for increasing the grip between the mating ramp surfaces. Alternatively, the locking means is a device that is hydraulically expanded or magnetically expanded. Preferably the potentiometer locking means is for use on an electric guitar.

Description

Potentiometer Gripping Device

Description:

This patent describes a means of applying friction to a potentiometer knob or shaft to hold the potentiometer at the set position when moving or using the equipment.

For example a musician may carry a plurality of equipment to an event such as guitars, amplifiers and effects pedals etc; all of which have potentiometers for volume, tone distortion settings etc. Each potentiometer has a knob that would require re setting before a performance if accidently moved while the equipment is in transit.

Many musicians resort to extreme measures to ensure the position of the potentiometers stays as they were set where in rehearsal. Methods include the use of masking tape, hot melt glue, blue tack and even removing the potentiometer knobs completely.

Unlike these methods the present embodiment of this invention allows the potentiometer to be easily re-adjusted at any time whilst holding the set position of the knob in place as the equipment is moved or used.

What's more, this invention can be adjusted so that the potentiometer has a set amount of rotational resistance removing the likelihood of accidental changes; however; still allowing deliberate adjustment.

Other devices used in the past have been in the form of rubber covers that fit over the potentiometer knob; the cover is pressed down to touch the surface around the potentiometer creating some grip around the outside of the knob. This method is cumbersome as it relies on space around the potentiometer; also the amount of rotational grip is not controlled using this method.

In the present embodiment of this invention, shown in figures 1, 1 and figure 1, 2 the potentiometer is held in position by the introduction of friction under the potentiometer knob.

This Friction is caused by rotation Figure 1, 1 over Figure 1, 2 to cause expansion and hence grip.

This friction can be created by any means, such as two opposing permanent magnets repelling each other to create friction between the potentiometer knob and the surface of the equipment. One magnet would be slid over the other until they repel and separate to form pressure and friction between the surface of the equipment and the under surface of the knob.

Another embodiment using hydraulic means can easily be constructed. This is in the form of a ring placed, again, under the potentiometer knob; this ring is then inflated by any means.

For example, air, other gasses. Oil or other liquids. A non return valve can be used to hold the inflation pressure and maintain the friction between the knob and the surface of the equipment. A further inventive step would be the addition of an adjustable non return valve to allow release and easy control of the hydraulic pressure, the users could then do fine adjustment of the rotational resistance of the knob.

In the present preferred embodiment the friction between the potentiometer knob and the device surface is created by simple mechanical means. A number of wedge shapes spaced around two counter rotating rings, figure 1, 1 and figurel,2 creates increased height as the rings are rotated one over the other.

The Levers figure 1, 3 and figure 1, 4 are used to create the counter rotation of the two rings, which in turn increase the height of the device.

By squeezing the two leavers together the user increases the height of the device until enough pressure is applies to the bottom of the potentiometer knob so as to restrict its rotational movement.

In a more simplified embodiment than the one shown, the invention relies entirely on friction of the slopes to hold the pressure under the potentiometers knob. This has two disadvantages, the first being the unreliability of the device and second the user has no means of adjusting the pressure to the correct level.

In the present preferred embodiment these problems have been eliminates by the introduction of interlocking teeth. These teeth are on both surfaces; however, it is possible to create an embodiment with teeth on just one of the counter rotating ring surfaces. These teeth would locate with a step or single ridge in the other counter rotating ring.

In the present embodiment a means of releasing the interlocking action of the teeth has been introduced. To release the mechanism and free the potentiometer for adjustment, the user pressed down on the leaver figure 1, 4. This lowers the teeth figure 1, 5 below the line of the ramp figure 1, 6 and hence frees the lock between the counter rotating rings which in turn releases the pressure on the underside of the potentiometer knob.

In another embodiment leaver figure 1, 3 is lifted to release the mechanism.

In addition to this invention, the top and bottom surfaces have of the counter rotating rings have a rubber coating to increase the friction between the equipment and the underside of the potentiometer.

Figure 2 shows an illustration of the two counter rotating rings set in the maximum height position.

In conventional use the user would set the rings to approximate the mid position before re positioning and screwing the knob back in place, the user could then fully release or completely lock the potentiometer from accidental rotational movement by pushing down and separating the leavers for release or simply squeezing the two leavers together to lock the potentiometer in place.

In the present preferred embodiment the bottom counter rotating ring figure 1, 2 fits over the top of the nut holding the potentiometer in place. The top of the ring has a smaller hole that fits over a standard 6mm potentiometer shaft; this positions the invention precisely under the potentiometer knob. Other sizes would be manufactured for different potentiometer shaft sizes.

Unfortunately, some potentiometer knobs are push fit only and may, but not necessarily, be lifted off the shaft by the expansion of this invention.

Fortunately replacing a push-on knob with a more reliable grub screw fixing knob is not too expensive in comparison to the advantages gained.

Potentiometers and potentiometer knobs vary in size; our research has shown that more than 90% of the market can be addressed with just two sizes of this potentiometer rotation restricting device.

Although it would be possible to create a slot in the device so that it could be slid under the potentiometer knob without the removal of the knob; it is presently felt that this would cause structural weakness and hence, this idea has not been incorporated in the present preferred embodiment; however, it may be incorporated in a production device.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A potentiometer gripping device which expands by any means under a potentiometer knob to hold the said Potentiometer in position preventing undesirable rotation of the knob and potentiometer shaft.
2. A potentiometer gripping device as in claim 1 using a tooth mechanism, for example a cable tie toothed system.
3. A potentiometer gripping device as in claim 1 and claim 2 where the toothed mechanism can be released by any means.
4. A potentiometer gripping device as in claim 2 and 3 where the position locking means can be released using a leaver means.
5. A potentiometer locking device as in all claims where the gripping or locking mechanism is integral within the knob.
6. A potentiometer gripping device as in all claims where the gripping efficiency of the device is assisted using natural or synthetic rubber materials on any surface.
7. A potentiometer gripping device as in claim 1 using a hydraulic mechanism to expand and apply a gripping pressure to a potentiometer shaft or knob.
8. A potentiometer griping device as described in claim 7 where the hydraulic pressure can be controlled using an adjustable non return valve.
9. A potentiometer gripping device that uses magnetic means to create separation such as like poles repelling each other to create a gripping pressure between the underside of the knob and the surface of the equipment.
1®.A magnetic potentiometer gripping device as in claim 9 which has means to adjust the position of the two like poles and hence adjust the rotational friction between the potentiometer and the surface of the equipment.
11.A potentiometer Griping device as in claim 1 where the Height increase and hence gripping pressure is created by means of squashing a soft substance such as rubber or synthetic rubber material.
12.A potentiometer gripping device as in claim 11 where the soft substance applying the gripping pleasure is squeezed by a mechanical clamp means.
13.A potentiometer gripping device as described in all previous claimed where the gripping means acts between the shaft and the body of the potentiometer.
14.A potentiometer gripping device as described in all previous claimed where the gripping means acts between the shaft and the surface of the equipment.
15.A potentiometer gripping device as described in all previous claimed where the gripping means acts between the knob and the body of the potentiometer.
16.A potentiometer Gripping device as in all clams which has a slot cut away to allow the device to slide under a potentiometer to allow for installation without the removal of the potentiometer knob. This embodiment would be in the form of a C shape.